I've been to tarot readers and psychics a handful of times. The best one I've been to was in the French Quarter in New Orleans. She was telling me a story about my life. Whether she was right or not, I'm not sure - I kind of forgot what she said.
I went to a psychic yesterday who reminded me of an old church lady that has a limp handshake and wears floral muumuus. She was a lovely lady though who was really adamant about two things: meditation and stepping outside the box. She told me two or three times that I needed to meditate, which I have done before. I'm not good at the whole setup with music and a quiet corner or anything like that, but I do like moments of quiet to really clear my thoughts. I get the point of meditation, I do. I think it's helpful for anyone and it doesn't "mean" you have to do anything, but let your mind be still.
She also said that I need to step out of my box. Which I don't like to think of myself being confined to a box, but she's right. I am comfortable in my life. I am happy and comfortable and things are fantastic, but there's always that thought that there is something more. Not something that will make me happier or feel more fulfilled, just something that I have not yet done that needs to be done.
I think this is probably writing my book.
The psychic also says she sees Hawaii in my future, which I liked to hear. Smart women she is to tell someone that they might be going to Hawaii. I wanted her to tell me I'm going to be traveling internationally soon, but the point of her reading was to tell me I have to initiate that. I can't expect that the opportunity is to lay before me. I have to "strike the match," - those were her words.
You want psychics are for, at least for me? They are to tell me things I want to hear not necessarily things I don't know. They are to make observations of things they "see" for me and I can decide if they line up with my life. She is right about reaching out to the opportunities to travel. To really make that part of my life not just a goal. How to make this happen?
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
CASA Stands for Something
Today I had court observation for a new volunteer opportunity I'm pursuing. I'm going to be a CASA - a court-appointed special advocate. My job will be to advocate for my case child - one who is a dependent of the court, one who needs some consistency in his or her life. I am responsible for being a go-to.
I will be visiting with a foster child whose case has been assigned to me. I will work with a social worker, possibly foster parents, school teachers, and every other person that plays a significant role in the growth of any child.
CASA is a national organization and is something I've wanted to do since college. At one point I thought I'd become a social worker. At another time, I thought I might become an attorney. This volunteer opportunity kind of combines the two a little. In California, the branch of CASA is called Voices for Children.
If you sign up to volunteer as well, you go through intensive training. They are flexible for those who have working schedules and the training I attended was in the evenings after work. Today observing the court docket in the juvenile court, that was my last "duty" as a CASA trainee. Next week I will be sworn in by a judge and I will officially be an advocate for a child.
I am a little anxious, but mostly looking forward to the challenge. Children should receive equal opportunities, more than anyone. They are just beginning to form their dreams and gain useful knowledge and if it's stunted with emotional distress or physical abuse or a combination of the two plus being taken from placement to placement, it can really disrupt them from the path of success. More importantly, it can derail them from the path to happiness.
I wish that being a CASA means that I was going to change the world. Or, even change a child. But, what I really expect is to show up where I'm expected. I want a child to know that there are people who want to show up for them when they say they will. I want to teach them about accountability and dependability. I can do that be simply showing up. That's what they've taught us in our training. Hopefully, that is what I achieve during my 18 months dedicated as a CASA.
I will be visiting with a foster child whose case has been assigned to me. I will work with a social worker, possibly foster parents, school teachers, and every other person that plays a significant role in the growth of any child.
CASA is a national organization and is something I've wanted to do since college. At one point I thought I'd become a social worker. At another time, I thought I might become an attorney. This volunteer opportunity kind of combines the two a little. In California, the branch of CASA is called Voices for Children.
If you sign up to volunteer as well, you go through intensive training. They are flexible for those who have working schedules and the training I attended was in the evenings after work. Today observing the court docket in the juvenile court, that was my last "duty" as a CASA trainee. Next week I will be sworn in by a judge and I will officially be an advocate for a child.
I am a little anxious, but mostly looking forward to the challenge. Children should receive equal opportunities, more than anyone. They are just beginning to form their dreams and gain useful knowledge and if it's stunted with emotional distress or physical abuse or a combination of the two plus being taken from placement to placement, it can really disrupt them from the path of success. More importantly, it can derail them from the path to happiness.
I wish that being a CASA means that I was going to change the world. Or, even change a child. But, what I really expect is to show up where I'm expected. I want a child to know that there are people who want to show up for them when they say they will. I want to teach them about accountability and dependability. I can do that be simply showing up. That's what they've taught us in our training. Hopefully, that is what I achieve during my 18 months dedicated as a CASA.
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